Japan continues to be the largest destination for British Columbia exports to Asia, but China is responsible for the recent growth of exports to that Continent. According to the data, exports to China grew 325% between 1999 and 2009. That compares with shrinking exports to Hong Kong (-20%), and Japan (-22.5%) during the same period.
 
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond and executives from Port Metro Vancouver, Port of Prince Rupert, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Vancouver International Airport went on a trade mission to Asia in November.

Some results of the mission, according to Bond, were increasing demand for BC coal and wood pellets, as well as: POSCO, the world’s fourth largest steel producer plans to increase coal exports from BC by 15% annually; Tokyo Electric Power Co is interested in BC’s thermal coal and in exploring wood pellets as an alternative for electricity production in the city; and copper concentrate from the Copper Mountain mine near Princeton will ship to Mitsubishi Materials Corp of Japan through the Port of Vancouver.

The law suit stems from an accident that occurred on 14 February as the Zhen Hua 24 was pulling away from the berth at the APM Terminal in Portsmouth after unloading new container cranes. One of two large container cranes still aboard the ship – to be delivered somewhere else – ‘clipped’ the boom of one of the new APM container cranes on the dock.

Both Virginia Port Authority and Virginia International Terminals Inc are seeking USD14.65 million in damages. While still berthed at APM Terminals, it’s now in federal custody. Read the full story in the March 2011 issue of World Port Development.

ZES will upgrade the current Express application with its N4 software technology. Initial implementation of the upgraded N4 terminal operating system is planned to occur in tandem with the new truck entry gate at Bayport, which will also enhance efficiency.

Port Director Doug Morrison welcomed the news, saying: “This consent allows us to press forward with important works at Berths 201/2.  With the size of container vessels continuing to increase, the container terminal can no longer accommodate four of the largest container ships simultaneously – this development will rectify that situation by creating the “lost” fourth berth.”

The main works, which will involve an investment of approximately UK£80 million, will commence on site in September 2012 with completion anticipated by the end of 2013. The consent was received at the same time as Network Rail completed extensive works to upgrade the rail capacity for containers moving between the port and the West Coast Mainline.